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Tekken 6 (Xbox 360, PS3, PSP)
• Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
• Developer: Namco
• Release Date: Q4 2009
• Trailer
• What We Saw:
It’s definitely Tekken, almost as we left it four years ago. A part of me thought that the series couldn’t look any better, but Tekken 6 makes the full leap into HD with pure grace. From the cast of 40 characters, of which six are new, I took my old friends Bryan and Yoshimitsu for a few rounds, along with newcomer, Miguel. The 2-D fighting mechanics are the same as always, so old-timers should have no problems taking out the new generation of upstarts. Namco Bandai didn’t comment much on the additional modes, but it’s pretty safe to expect the usual suspects, like Survival and Time Attack. The one, “new, never done before” mode that was being touted was the beat-em-up action of Campaign. Sorry guys, but that started back in Tekken 3.
• What We Think:
Brian: Tekken 6 is a phenomenal looking game, but that was to be expected. Tekken games have always looked good, played well, and featured one of the most unique and likable casts in the fighting genre. Trouble is, I feel as though I know the series so well that it can bear no surprises. Tekken Tag has been my favorite entry for nine years and counting, because it has a huge roster, plenty of secondary modes, the popular tag function, and I can’t forget bowling. So tell me, what can Tekken 6 offer me that Tag can’t?

Tony Hawk Ride (360, PS3)
• Publisher: Activision
• Developer: Robomodo, Buzz Monkey
• Release Date: Fall 2009
• Screenshots
• Trailer
• What We Saw:

I had a chance to ride the new Ride controller and show to all of E3 just how pathetic a skateboarder I am. I honestly can't say what the game looked like, what it will contain in terms of challenges and skaters and whether or not there's any multiplayer as I was singularly focused on not falling on my ass. The controller takes some getting used to, like a real skateboard, however it was both responsive and required you to mimic the actions of a real skateboarder to accomplish things like jumps and manuals. The game's visuals weren't anything awe-inspiring, but honestly, I was too busy concentrating on what I was supposed to be doing with my feet to really notice one way or another.

• What We Think:

Brandon: If I knew how to skateboard, I'd probably be more impressed with how well the controller lets you recreate real skateboarding actions, but to my untrained, uncoordinated ass, it didn't feel any different than playing Shaun White on the Wii, which isn't a bad thing, but I don't need to buy yet another hunk of plastic to do that. Watching the woman next to me spend 40 minutes calibrating and recalibrating the same controller board over and over didn't give me a warm fuzzy about the hardware, but it is early, and E3 is rife with technological demons. Skateboarding games really aren't my thing, and I didn't ride anything here that changed my mind. Sorry Tony.

Trine (PS3, PC, 360)
• Publisher: Atlus
• Developer: Frozenbyte
• Release Date: TBA
• Screenshots
• What We Saw:
If my experience was any indication, Trine might not be what you think it is. What looks like another side-scrolling action game with Gauntlet-inspired characters is actually a puzzle game at heart. The mace-wielding knight is the offensive powerhouse of the group, the thief has the benefits of range and agility with her bow and grappling hook, and the wizard conjures platforms and other constructive devices to get from point A to B. Instead of picking one character, players can switch at any time to suit the current obstacle. In one instance, I donned the role of the knight to keep encroaching skeletons at bay while my partner used the wizard to craft a series of hovering platforms over a ravine. The fact that my heavy knight toppled the first platform like a bottomless see-saw is a testament to Trine’s physics.
• What We Think:
Brian: I really didn’t want to stop playing this one. It’s an addictive blend of combat, precise platforming, and creative puzzle-solving overlaid with rich backgrounds reminiscent of the first two Oddworld games. Perhaps the best part is that, even in the first level, few obstacles are limited to one solution. When trying to reach a high ledge, pitched over a field of spikes, some might prefer to play it safe and consume all the wizard’s mana to craft a rising hill of square boxes. Others might throw a little more caution to the wind with a single, precariously floating platform, or even a daredevil swing with the thief. I have no doubt that Trine will be an enjoyable game, but its staying power will depend on length and the sadism of later levels.